Yemeni women post pictures of colorful traditional clothing، defying Houthi restrictions‏‏

Yemeni women have posted pictures of themselves on social media in colorful traditional clothing، defying Houthi clothing restrictions and an escalating crackdown by militias in areas they control.

Many domestic and foreign women posted photos of themselves on Facebook and Twitter under the hashtag #Yemeni_identity. Activists often use social media to air their protests.

“Our grandmothers used to wear colorful clothes، our tradition is full of color and joy،” said Yemeni author Mozen Senan، posing for a photo with friends in colorful robes and turbans.

"Ansar Allah "the Houthi militants" dictated our dress code and wanted us to wear black. Even though we no longer dress like our grandmothers. This is what we are today، and this is our color،" she said.

The online campaign comes nearly a week after Houthi authorities in Sanaa informed tailors that women's burqas should be loose black robes.

These Houthi clothing prohibitions are part of a growing crackdown on women، who are also prohibited from moving between towns without male guardians.

The militants is known for abducting and charging artists with supposed moral crimes.

Ebtehal Al-Komani، a human rights activist، said women have historically never covered their entire bodies in black clothing.

“Black (clothing) was never worn by Yemeni women. A peculiar custom that has permeated Yemeni society. It neither belongs to us nor does it belong to us،” she said on Facebook، showing photos of herself and other female activists in traditional garb.

Yemeni singer Fatima Muthanna also posted similar photos of herself، saying in a Facebook post that garnered hundreds of likes and comments from her fans “This is our vibrantly hued identity”.

Since December، the Houthis have abducted and imprisoned five prominent online personalities for criticizing the militia’s failure to alleviate poor economic conditions.

Thousands of Yemenis have either left the country or relocated to regions under government control as the Houthis cracked down on opponents in the wake of their military power grab in late 2014.

The Houthis are still holding Yemeni model and actress Entesar Al-Hammadi، who was kidnapped in a Sanaa street for allegedly breaking the Islamic dress code.

Despite local and international calls for her release، the Houthis have reportedly held her 

in solitary confinement and tortured her.